On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 12:18:58 +1200, Bruce Hoult
wrote:

No it's not. There isn't a "maximum angle of attack". There is only an
"angle of attack for maximum lift". As you approach that angle of
attack the rate of lift increase gets smaller and smaller, then you get
the same amount of lift at slightly increasing angles of attack, and
then with still more angle of attack you get less lift. The more you
take the angle of attack past the point of maximum lift the less lift
you get.

So, yes, it does matter whether you are 2 degrees or 6 degrees past the
angle of attack for maximum lift.

Of course you are correct as ever, Bruce.

I used the term "maximum angle of attack" to define the point where
the airflow separates close to the leading edge, creating a massive
and sudden loss of lift (this situation being usually defined as "the
stall"). Is there a better technical term in English for this?

In scientific terms maximum AoA would be Pi (or 180 degrees) of
course, e.g. in a tailslide.



Bye
Andreas